The Ritual

Mercy...

- ... and the power supported by your mighty arm.

Brethren, be strengthened in the Lord

and in the might of His power.

Put on the armor of God

that you might withstand the devil.

Take unto you the helmet of salvation

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God.

As some of you may be aware, um...

my brother passed away this week.

And I--I wanted to thank all of you

who have been so kind as to send cards and flowers

and--and even food.

It's greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Father.

-Our thoughts are with you, Father.

God bless you, your brother,

your whole family.

Thank you, Chester.

Good morning, sister.

Hello, Father.

Oh, Sister...

Would you speak with Mother Superior

about the um...

-There is more in the common room,

if you have a moment.

Maybe I will.

- -

Your Excellency.

Father.

How are you getting on?

-Ah, well, you know, I'm, I'm...

Yes.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

This is another transfer?

Hmm. No.

- These are psychiatric reports.

This is a very troubled woman.

- Yes. That's the problem.

They haven't found anything abnormal.

The doctors, I mean.

-Well then, there must be something.

Hissing at the sight of a church?

That's...

How did this come to you?

-They've exhausted all of the medical,

biological theories.

The woman's parish wishes to attempt a...

solemn sacrament.

-A solemn sacrament, you mean an exorcism?

And...

you would like me to perform it?

No. Some poor other soul

already has that distinction.

Oh. And who is that?

- Uh, Theophilus Reisinger.

Capuchin from up north, I believe.

-Forgive me, Your Excellency,

but if the Capuchin has already been assigned,

why bring this to me?

Well...

they'd like to carry out the deed here.

Here?

Your Excellency, if--

if this woman has seen psychiatrists,

then she's, I mean....

clearly... there must be, uh,

treatment more beneficial to her than an exorcism.

There are many new remedies for mental disorders.

I was reading an article-- -It's all but finalized.

Her address, number of the transport,

it's right there in the file.

They're expecting your call.

I understand.

And this is most unusual, Father,

but the woman is desperate.

She's tried everything else,

but she's been suffering for years, apparently.

We'll speak with the Reverend Mother tomorrow,

after the morning Mass

- Yes, your manager of operations, please.

- One moment.

Thank you.

Yes, hello. My name is...

Father Joseph Steiger.

I'm calling from

St. Joseph's Church in Earling.

We have a passenger who needs transporting

from her home in Marathon.

Do you have service from Marathon?

- Yes, we have.

Good.

- What's her name?

Her name is Emma Schmidt.

Miss Schmidt has...

a very sensitive condition

that any unwanted influence could disrupt,

So, she will need a private car,

just her and the driver.

And I would appreciate your discretion.

Yes, St. Joseph's Church on Olive Street in Earling.

Members of our church will be here to greet her.

Thank you.

- Good day.

Good day.

She's asleep.

We'll bring her food when she's awake.

Thank you, Sister.

I must fetch Father Theophilus.

Oh, are you Father Steiger?

Yes.

-Father Theophilus? -Yes.

-Oh. I was just on my way

to the station to meet you.

Oh, well. I was waiting. And then uh--

I'm so sorry I wasn't there to greet you.

-No, no. -I was detained.

No surprise.

The devil will do whatever it takes to foil our plans.

We must be ready.

- Thank you, Sister.

Thank you.

-Oh. -Father Theophilus.

Reverend Mother...

- Welcome. - Thank you.

Come in, please.

- -Have a seat.

So, I've been reading Emma's files.

Yes.

-Some very concerning behavior.

And I am not entirely convinced

that the problem isn't psychological.

-Well, the task will be handled

with as little disruption as possible.

And I thank you, Reverend Mother,

for allowing us such a safe space to treat the afflicted.

Thank you.

Mm.

- What I need is a team of three

in the room

to assist with restraints, transitions, shorthand.

Father Steiger will be taking notes,

keeping an accurate chronology

of manifestations and evidences.

We will start each evening at sundown

and continue until a pause is needed at my--

I'm sorry.

Sister?

- She-- she won't eat.

- What's happened, Sister?

She won't eat.

I just went in her room to give her her food

and, um,

she, um...

she reacted violently.

She...

almost hissed like a cat.

I've never heard anything like it.

I just-- I don't know.

I don't know.

Has the food been blessed?

- I--I don't-- I don't know.

Bring this to the kitchen.

And have Sister Antonella prepare it.

Maybe just the rice and beans from the giveaway.

And, um...

tell her not to bless the food.

It's all right.

Thank you, Sister.